History Final Exam Part 2

Question 1

What was the religion of Mansa Musa?

Answer 1

Religion: Devout Muslim who followed Islam

Question 2

What is the Mali Empire famous for?

Answer 2

*Located in West Africa along the Niger River
*Controlled important trade routes across the Sahara
*Main source of wealth was gold from mines in the region
*Became extremely wealthy through control of trade
*Timbuktu became a major center of Islamic learning during this period

Question 3

What were the origins of Judaism?

Answer 3

-Began about 4,000 years ago with Abraham and Sarah
-God called them to leave Mesopotamia and migrate to Canaan
-Revolutionary concept of monotheism (one true God) in a polytheistic world
- God promised Abraham land and many descendants
-This led to the land of Israel and the “chosen people”
-Maintaining the land and keeping people together proved difficult
-Israelites were enslaved in Egypt
-God freed them with the help of prophet Moses
-Moses received the Ten Commandments and hundreds more laws

Question 4

What were the historical challenges the Israelite faced? (3)

Answer 4

1. Israel sits at a crossroads through which many armies marched.
2. In 70 AD, Romans destroyed the temple in Jerusalem.
3. Judaism transformed from a temple religion with sacrifices to a religion of the book

Question 5

What are the sacred texts and traditions Jews practice? (4)

Answer 5

• The Talmud contains hundreds of written discussions and interpretations of Jewish law and tradition
• Jewish daily life is rich with symbolic meanings (e.g., the Passover meal)
• Bar and bat mitzvahs are important Jewish coming-of-age ceremonies
• The Torah refers specifically to the first five books of the Hebrew Bible:
  o Genesis
  o Exodus
  o Leviticus
  o Numbers
  o Deuteronomy
• The Torah contains the foundational divine laws and teachings given by God to Moses
• Forms the core of Jewish religious life

Question 6

How did Islam spread using trade routes?

Answer 6

• Trade routes’ role: Allowed Muslim traders and missionaries to travel widely

Question 7

What were the origins of Islam? (3)

Answer 7

1. Began 1,400 years ago with Muhammad
2. While meditating in a mountain cave, Muhammad was visited by Angel Gabriel (Jibril)
3. Gabriel delivered the words of Allah (the one God of Abraham)

Question 8

What revelations and scriptures were taught? (4)

Answer 8

1. Muhammad received divine messages over 23 years
2. These were memorized, taught, and later collected in the Quran
3. Quran means “the recitation” and is considered free of human corruption
4. Regarded as the finest work of literature in the Arabic language

Question 9

What is the core identity of a Muslim? (2)

Answer 9

1. “Muslim” means one who surrenders/submits to the will of God
2. Muhammad is considered the final prophet

Question 10

What are the five pillars of Islam?

Answer 10

1. Shahada: Declaration of faith (“There is no God but Allah, and Muhammad is his final prophet”)
2. Salat: Prayer five times daily facing Mecca
3. Zakat: Giving 2-3% of net worth to the poor
4. Sawm: Fasting during daylight hours for the month of Ramadan
5. Hajj: Pilgrimage to Mecca once in a lifetime if able

Question 11

What is the purpose of faith and practice for Muslims? (3)

Answer 11

1. Strengthening willpower and reliance on God
2. Preparing for judgment day when believers will stand before God
3. Being judged worthy or unworthy of eternal life with God

Question 12

What was the purpose of the feudal system? (2)

Answer 12

Purpose: To protect property and create stability
Structure: Hierarchical system of loyalties and obligations

Question 13

What were feudal relationships?

Answer 13

• Core principle: Lords provided land and protection in exchange for labor and service
• Mutual obligations: Defined relationships between different social classes

Question 14

What were the social classes? (5)

Answer 14

They were determined mainly by birth.
-Monarchs (Kings/Queens)
-Nobles (Lords)
- Knights
- Clergy (Church officials)
- Peasants/Serfs

Question 15

What was a medieval woman’s role?

Answer 15

Managing the household, Child-rearing, food production, textile work

Question 16

Young boys (ages 7-14) who learned basic skills

Answer 16

Pages

Question 17

Teenage boys who trained directly under knights

Answer 17

Squires

Question 18

Military elite who followed a code of chivalry

Answer 18

Knights

Question 19

Served as scribes and scholars who preserved knowledge

Answer 19

Monks

Question 20

What were the methods of spread for the Islamic expansion?

Answer 20

Conquest, treaties, missionary work

Question 21

What was the process for the Islamic expansion?

Answer 21

Expanded rapidly across Middle East, North Africa, parts of Europe and Asia

Question 22

What was the timeframe of Islamic spread?

Answer 22

After Muhammad’s death in the 7th century

Question 23

What are Judaism ad Islam similarities?

Answer 23

• Common elements: Both have rules for daily life and worship one god
• Monotheistic traditions: Share belief in one deity

Question 24

What was the manor system? (2)

Answer 24

• Function: Provided self-sufficient communities where lords offered land and protection in exchange for labor
• Economic basis: Agricultural production

Question 25

What was social class determination made by and what were the challenges? (2)

Answer 25

Social Class Determination * Primary factor: Birth - Most people inherited their status from their family * Social mobility: Very limited opportunity to change class

Question 26

What was the divine right of kings?

Answer 26

Divine Right of Kings * Definition: The belief that monarchs derive their authority from God * Importance: Justified monarchical rule and authority

Question 27

What was the relationship Charlemagne and the Pope and how did it benefit them both?

Answer 27

Charlemagne and the Pope * Relationship: Mutual support - Pope gave Charlemagne the Emperor title; Charlemagne gave the Pope military protection * Significance: Strengthened both church and political power

Question 28

What was Mansa Musa's pilgrimage effect? (4)

Answer 28

His pilgrimage to Mecca showed Mali's wealth and promoted Islamic culture o His caravan had to cross the Sahara Desert o Spent and gave away enormous amounts of gold during his pilgrimage o His generous spending of gold in Cairo actually caused inflation

Question 29

What was Mansa Musa's legacy?

Answer 29

One of the wealthiest individuals in history

Question 30

What was the source of the West African Wealth?

Answer 30

* Source of prosperity: Controlling trade routes for gold and salt across the Sahara Desert

Question 31

What was the importance of the gold-salt trade?

Answer 31

Made kingdoms wealthy and powerful

Question 32

What were economic factors of the gold-salt trade? (2)

Answer 32

o Salt was scarce in West Africa but essential for preserving food o Gold was highly valued by traders across Africa, the Middle East, and Europe